TORONTO — With the Blue Jays season on the line and pressure at an all-time high, Marcus Stroman is steeled for the biggest game of his career.
The confident young righthander takes the mound Wednesday against the Texas Rangers in a do-or-die Game 5 against the Texas Rangers.
“I’d say I’m confident, some people may call it cocky,” Stroman said at a press conference Tuesday.
“I mean it is what it is, it’s something that my dad kind of raised me with; a huge chip on my shoulder.”
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Stroman’s father Earl, a police detective in New York, told Global News on Tuesday that his son is up to the challenge.
“I’m hoping that he wins, he’s got the whole country there behind him and I just want to make sure he puts on a good show,” he said.
“I shouldn’t say hope, Marcus likes situations like that and he’s ready. I’m hoping he’s ready to go, the other guys are ready to go and they can bring you guys a win and everyone can enjoy this.”
Stroman was healthy enough to come back into the bullpen on Sept. 12 after recovering from a torn ACL that forced him to miss much of the regular season.
WATCH ABOVE: Marcus Stroman will pitch arguably the most important game of the season when he toes the rubber for the Jays in game 5 vs. the Texas Rangers. It has been a long road back for Stroman who was ruled out for the year with a knee injury earlier this season.
“I knew it was possible, I knew my work ethic and how dedicated I am to the game. I knew that I pushed myself to every possible limit to be back and be a part of something special,” he said.
“I enjoy the pressure, I enjoy the spotlight so this is a big stage and I’m just excited to get out there.”
The 24-year-old pitcher’s father said from New York that his son has “always had heart,” but may have been forced to test it more this year than in previous years due to the injury.
“He put a lot of time and a lot of training and pride into that just to get ready for this year, then when something like this happens and you’re devastated because you put so much time in,” Earl Stroman said.
“He likes challenges, you tell Marcus he can’t do something he’s going to go out and prove you wrong that he can do it. I’m happy, I’m blessed to be able to watch him now.”
Earl Stroman said that as a father, he now gets the opportunity to “sit back” and smile at his son’s success.
“Once the game’s over I definitely smile but during the game you know it’s hard to smile,” he said. “But once it’s over you enjoy and are just happy he’s in that position.”
The senior Stroman said that he spoke with the young pitcher on Monday after finding out that he would get the start, asking his parents if they’d be able to make it to the game.
“Of course we’re going to do, me and his mom, everything in our power to make sure that we make it up there for him to support him because we both still work,” Earl Stroman said.
“If we didn’t trust me I’d be there at each and every game no matter what city but we’ll definitely be there tomorrow as we made our plans to be able to be up there for him.”
The Blue Jays face the Rangers at 4:07 p.m. ET in Toronto on Wednesday for the final game of the ALDS.
With files from Mark McAllister
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